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Whilst this role is primarily based within the Employee Relations team, the post holder will be expected to support the wider ER function to maintain cross-functional resilience, encourage professional development, and promote a collaborative approach. The role involves providing advice, guidance, and practical support to managers and employees on a range of people matters, including lower-level employee relations casework. The post holder will undertake initial reviews of People Impact Assessments, escalating concerns where appropriate, support Family Leave processes by preparing correspondence, completing calculations and liaising with relevant departments, and coordinate the Professional Standards Board.
The post holder will also provide practical and administrative support in relation to attendance management, including monitoring long-term sickness absence and modified duties cases, while signposting and coordinating appropriate wellbeing, welfare, and counselling support. In addition, they will support recruitment, selection, and promotion activities, including shortlisting and interviews, and assist with the administration of Secondary Contracts as required.
Some of the things you will be doing
Provide Employee Relations advice and support the Employee Relations Business Partner, employees and line managers in relation to the Supporting Attendance and modified duties policies, processes and toolkits including running reports, reviewing data and drafting appropriate letters.
Arrange occupational health referrals and signpost to appropriate welfare support such as external health partnerships (currently Westfield Health), counselling sessions or other specialist input.
Arrange and attend case conferences for those who are long term absent/modified duties in support of the relevant manager, Employee Relations Business Partner and Wellbeing & Fitness Lead. Ensure agreed actions are undertaken, which may include repeat occupational health referrals, arranging reasonable adjustments or instigating an attendance, capability or Ill Health Retirement process with the relevant lead.
Provide advice and practical support to employees and line managers on a wide range of HR issues including performance management, retirements, disciplinary and grievance cases. Ensure appropriate administrative actions are taken in accordance with agreed policies and processes.
Advise managers and employees to ensure compliance with Employee Relations policies and support with lower-level casework e.g. Level 1 disciplinary or grievance processes.
Support the Professional Standards Board by co-ordinating meetings, capturing decisions, circulating documents and agenda in advance of meetings and following up on progress with the relevant ER Business Partner.
Support the team and relevant leads with preparations for any legal cases and Employment Tribunals.
Supporting the Family Leave process by issuing letters in relation to Maternity and Paternity/Maternity Support Leave, running calculations and notifying relevant departments.
Provide support for large-scale recruitment campaigns for Wholetime and On-Call Firefighters.
Sound knowledge and understanding of employment law and best practice in relation to key HR issues (attendance, performance, discipline, grievance)
Significant generalist HR experience.
Previous experience of supporting staff and managers with attendance and welfare including signposting to suitable support.
Previous experience of undertaking recruitment processes, including interviewing and providing feedback.
Excellent verbal and written communications skills.
Excellent organisational skills and ability to prioritise workload. Able to work with competing demands, using own initiative and an efficient, methodical approach.
Able to conduct research to ensure compliance with legislation and best practice.
Able to drive with a full current valid driving licence, or ability to arrange suitable alternative transport to travel to various work locations.
Willingness to accept and work to the NFCC Core Code of Ethics during the course of employment.
Adaptable with a flexible approach to work, to meet business needs.
Able to work effectively both individually and as part of a team.
Professional in conduct.
Strong stakeholder ethic with customer orientated approach.
Committed to undertake relevant training and continuous professional development opportunities.
Hold or willing to work towards a relevant Level 3 HR qualification.
What you can expect in return
26 days annual holiday (plus public holidays) rising to 30 days after 5 years, and 31 days after 10 years of service after 10 years of service
Once you have read the job description, please complete the application form telling us how your skills, qualifications and experience match those required for this role, please provide examples wherever you can. The information you give will assist us in our shortlisting process.
If you experience any issues with the application or require a paper version please contact [email protected]. Late applications will not be accepted. Please quote job reference number 3413-T on any communications. Thank you.
With effect from July 2023 legislation was amended to enable all Fire & Rescue Services to undertake standard DBS checks for all employees. All job roles require a standard DBS check, with certain defined roles requiring an enhanced check. These will be renewed throughout employment.
Avon Fire & Rescue Service is committed to securing equality of opportunity. We welcome applications from all members of our community who are currently under-represented at Avon Fire & Rescue Service, particularly women, Disabled people and members of ethnic minority communities.
Additional reading
It is important for you to familiarise yourself with our work at Avon FRS and the framework we follow. Please see some resources below for you to read and explore:
